Captain, sensors detect faint life signs at NBC

Filed in archive Channels on August 29, 2007

Amongst the great mysteries of our times are perhaps the questions of whether their are space aliens visiting us, who killed JFK, where is Jimmy Hoffa buried, and what will NBC/News Corp call their YouTube killer. Well, we can scratch one of those questions of the list.

So, are you ready? [drum roll please] .... hulu! Huh?

In addition to a new name, the network also has a new launch date: October, a month later than the previous September time frame the two sides had indicated in June. That, in turn, was later than the original summer launch they had projected in March when they first unveiled their plans.

The extra time is needed to ensure "the most compelling user experience,'' said Hulu spokeswoman Christina Lee, who declined to elaborate.

Hulu's homepage will begin a limited private beta launch in October that will probably require a password to access, Lee said.

Hulu will provide free, advertising-supported TV content-including full-episode programming-from NBC and News Corp.'s Fox, Fuel and Speed networks, as well as from nonequity partners including the Sundance Channel and independent cable channel Oxygen. It will also sell downloads of TV shows and movies.